Friction-clutch



(.No Model.) j

l 4J-. H. OSBGRN. FRIGTIDN' CLUTCH. No. 259,199.` K Patented Jun 6, 18821.

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UNITED STATES APATENT OFFICE. f

JOHN H. OSBORN, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

FRICTIQN SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 259,199, dated application sled May 4, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it mayconcern: A

Be it known that I, JOHN H. OSBORN, of Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have inventeda certain new and Improved Friction-Clutch; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and complete description thereof.

The clutch above alluded to is for the purpose of immediately stopping the revolving movement ot' a pulley or pulleys in connection therewith, and to prevent the same from rcvolving in a reverse direction.

- The construction of the clutch and the inanner ot' its operation are fully set forth in the following specification and illustrated by the drawings, in which- Figures 1 and 2 Vrepresent side views ofthe clutch. Fig. 3 shows a front view. Figs. 4 and 5 are interior views. Fig. G is a transverse longitudinal section. Fig. 7 is a detached section.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several views.

As shown in the drawings, A represents a shell, provided with an exterior huh, B, in which is secured one end of the shaft C, projecting therefrom through the shell, as seen in Figs. 5 and 6. In said tigures it will be seen that the shell is open on one side, but covered with a plate, D, provided with an internal boss, E, forming a huh around the shaft. On the outer side of the' plate is a sleeve, F, having peripheral anges a b, forming pulleys. The plate, boss, and pulley are all of one piece.

In the side ot' the boss E is a notch, c, in which is loosely but closely fitted the rounded end of a lever, G', as seen in Figs. 4 and 7. Said rounded end forms the fulcrum of the lever.

G is a divided ring, fitting closely to the inside of the shell, not so closely, however, but that it is free to move and become slightly expanded diametrically for being tightened in the case.

In Fig. 4 a space is shown on the side a' between the ring and the cam. This is an exaggeration, there being no apparent space between the two. PracticallyY they are in contact, or so nearly so that a slight expansion of the ring makes it tight 4fitting therein. One

June 6, 1882.

end 'of the ring is lodged ina notch, d, Fig. 7, in the side of' the lever. The opposite end of the ring abuts against the opposite side of the lever and above the notch, as seen in Fig. 4, and is free to move-that isto say, it is not in any way confined to the lever.

c, Fig. 7, is a spring whereby the lever is pushed in the direction of the arrowx, and by which the side fof the ring is pushed by the lever against the side D' of the shell, that it may be keptin tatulrelation therewith, which causes the ring to slightly withdraw from the opposite` side, D", as indicated at a', Fig. -4, thus contracting the diameter of the ring and allowing the clutch to turn without the frictional resistance of the expanded ring, which, when expanded, lls the interior diameter of the shell and presses the interior side, A', ot' the shell, as seen in Fig. 5, which causes the clutch and spring to engage, and which are disengaged bythe contraction of the spring.

Practically the operation of the clutch is as follows: The pulleys on the shaft O are free to turn in the direction of the arroww, revolving with them the plate D, divided ring, and lever. They cannot, however, be revolved in the opposite direction by reason of the expansion of Athe ring caused by the lever, which, on turning the pulleys in the opposite direction ot' the arrow or, will be forced in the direction of the arrow 2,\theresnlt of which will expand the ring by virtue ot' the action ofthe leveren the ends of the ring, between which it effects a leverage, forcing the ends of the ring apart, thereby causing it to be hard-pressed against the side A' of the shell by the i'rictional resistance therewith, the pulleys being prevented Vfronti turning, whereas they are perfectly free to revolve in the opposite direction, as the leverthereby assumes a less radial position, so that the ring contracts sufficiently to allow a free rotative movementin the direction ot' the arrow The action of the lever Glcauses the said ring to expand by its pressing against the free ends and more widely separating them. Hence the diameter ot' the ring is enlarged and presses upon the interior side, A', of the shell in proportion to the force exerted by the lever in pressing apart the free ends of the sprin g. This ring is of a spring character,

and will on the reaction of the lever G move from the contact seen in Fig. 5 to the position seen in Fig. 4, or nearly so, as before described.

The purpose of the spring, as aforesaid, is to keep the side f of the ring in close contact with the side of the case, so there may be no lost motion or time in making frictional contact of the ring with the case. The action of the clutch is therefore more immediate than if no spring were used. The spring, however, may be omitted; but it is preferred to use it to cause a more immediate action of the ring and lever.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination with the shell A and shaft or spindle, the plate D, divided ring, and lever interposed between the ends of said ring and having its axis of vibration or fulcrum within the ring, and the contact of the zo ends of the ring with the lever at differential lengths from the said axis of vibration, substantially as set forth, and for the purpose specified.

2. In a friction-clutch, a spring-ring with a 25 lever, G, pivoted at one end and interposed between the free ends of said spring, in coinbina-tion with the spring e, inclosed within the shell A, and plate, arranged substantially as and for the purpose set forth. 3o

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN H. OSBORN.

Witnesses:

J. H. BURRIDGE, W. H. BURRIDGE. 

